We recently connected with Ya’el Pedroza and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ya’el, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The subject matter of my work represents my relationship to our natural world. A large body of the work I do incorporates single use plastic bags, used clothing, and other refuse, with the landscape and animals painted on top. As an environmental artist it is important that my work reflects my love of the environment, its strength and beauty, but also the problems that it faces through our misuse and abuse of it. by reusing refuse in my art, I feel that it not only gives my work meaning, but that it also curbs my own guilt as a consumer who finds plastics and short lived clothes in my own home no matter how hard I try to limit them. They are what is offered to us, and I try my best to use as little as possible, to make a difference through my buying power and my artmaking process.
Ya’el, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have always been creating artwork ever since I can remember. Whether it was painting, sculpting, making sock puppets or crocheting a dog leash for my neighbor when I was a child; I was always making. Eventually I went to art school and received my bachelors in Fine Art at Sierra Nevada University, then followed that by getting my Masters in Fine Art at California State University. Ever since I have wondered from mountain town to mountain town where my soul feels most happy. All the meanwhile I have been making art and showing at various museums and gallery shows. For eight years I have been an adjunct instructor at Weber State University, and currently simultaneously adjunct teach in person at Fort Lewis College. My studio is in the Smiley Building in Durango Colorado, where I am surrounded by other talented artist who inspire me on a daily basis.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Some of the best things that society can do to support artist is to get out there to the museums, galleries, open studio days, and the art walks that are in most towns. People showing they are interested, and being present to talk to the artist and share conversations helps the artist and artist community to grow. And of course purchasing art from local artists is such a form of love to the artists and the arts. It is a big part in what allows us to continue to share our voices and message to the world. Another important factor of a creative ecosystem is our school and keeping the arts alive and breathing in them. It grows the future humans of our society to be artists and art lovers. And a healthy society is one full of creativity and art.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
My journey as a creative is mirrored by my growth as person, and the growth of my understanding and experiences of the world around me. My artwork has always been consistent in its representations of the natural world, yet it has changed in medium and how it is presented. As I learn and grow, my artwork changes and grows too. It is alive, it evolves, and is not stagnant. I am not interested in being a factory or reproducing the same thing again and again. My process involves experimentations as a way to keep my curiosity satiated, to keep things fresh and always blossoming into something new. Of course with experimentation comes failure and success. This is a part of it all, and I have learned so much through the years, remain interested, engaged, and inquisitive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yaelpedroza.com
- Instagram: goodvibesartiststudio
